Ask not what your school can do for you — ask what you can do for your school.
That spirit used to define college football. The passion. The pride. The sacrifice. The loyalty.
There were years — decades — where athletes gave everything and got nothing back. So yes, players should be paid. They’ve earned that seat at the table. But somewhere along the way, the pendulum swung too far. They used to play for passion. Now, it’s pay for play.
This sport was always built on we before me. It was about suiting up for the guy next to you, laying it on the line for your school, your town, your people. It was about community — without impunity. No shortcuts. No negotiations. Just heart. It was never about what you could get — it was about what you could give.
No one is here to criticize Nico. He’s a talented young man with a bright future, and he’s simply navigating the system that was handed to him — a system built by those at the top who prioritized profit over purpose. The agents who stand to make $400K by manipulating a guy to fish for better offers. Nico isn’t the problem. He’s a reflection of it. But it hurts to see what’s being lost. The love for the Vols. The pride in that Power T. The grind in the shadows when nobody’s watching. The deep connection to a community that cheered you on before the spotlight ever found you.
Leave a Reply